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US5458766A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Life indicator and cartridge for indicating total water flow

Assignee: Yuasa Corp
•
Filing: 1993-09-08
•
Granted: 1995-10-17
•
Expires: 2013-09-08
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Abstract

Abstract A life indicator is so designed that an electric current flows to a light emitting diode utilizing a battery as a power source when two electrodes are electrically connected. The two electrodes are so installed as to be electrically connected by passing water through a water passage communicating with an objective equipment, and the discharge life of the battery is set equal to the service life of the equipment.

Inventors

  • 👤 Katuo Ehara
  • 👤 Tadashi Okutoh
  • 👤 Aya Nishino
  • 👤 Shigeru Sano

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 09:50
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D35/00; B01D35/14; B01D35/143; C; C02; C02F; C02F2209/00; C02F2209/44; C02F2209/445

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 160 words
A life indicator adapted to be detachably attached to and used for a device whose service life is determined on the basis of total water flow, and which indicates the service life of the device; comprising: a normally open circuit including two spaced apart electrodes, a battery and a light emitting diode which emits light utilizing the battery as a power source, and a water passage operatively communicating with said device, the two electrodes being constructed and disposed in the water passage such that one electrode is deflected by pressure of the passing water in the water passage to contact with the other electrode to thereby make electrical contact therewith, means for removing water remaining between the two electrodes after completion of passing water, whereby an electric current flows to the light emitting diode when the two electrodes are electrically connected, and the battery is of a type having a discharge life equal to the service life of said device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 160 words
A life indicator adapted to be detachably attached to and used for a device whose service life is determined on the basis of total water flow, and which indicates the service life of the device; comprising: a normally open circuit including two spaced apart electrodes, a battery and a light emitting diode which emits light utilizing the battery as a power source, and a water passage operatively communicating with said device, the two electrodes being constructed and disposed in the water passage such that one electrode is deflected by pressure of the passing water in the water passage to contact with the other electrode to thereby make electrical contact therewith, means for removing water remaining between the two electrodes after completion of passing water, whereby an electric current flows to the light emitting diode when the two electrodes are electrically connected, and the battery is of a type having a discharge life equal to the service life of said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
A life indicator as set forth in claim 1, in which the removing means comprises an air hole disposed in a wall of said passage upstream of the two electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A life indicator as set forth in claim 1, in which the removing means comprises the downstream end of the water passage being open and obliquely cut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
A life indicator as set forth in claim 1, in which the battery has a voltage flatness and a property of abrupt drop in its voltage at a capacity end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
A life indicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said battery only powers said light emitting diode.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 165 words
A device including a cartridge detachably attached to and used for a water purifier or a demineralizer and having a service life determined on the basis of total water flow; comprising: a life indicator indicating the service life of the cartridge, a normally open circuit including two spaced apart electrodes, a battery and a light emitting diode which emits light utilizing the battery as a power source, and a water passage operatively communicating with said device, the two electrodes being constructed and disposed in the water passage such that one electrode is deflected by pressure of the passing water in the water passage to contact with the other electrode to thereby make electrical contact therewith, means for removing water remaining between the two electrodes after completion of passing water, whereby an electric current flows to the light emitting diode when the two electrodes are electrically connected, and the battery is of a type having a discharge life equal to the service life of said device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 165 words
A device including a cartridge detachably attached to and used for a water purifier or a demineralizer and having a service life determined on the basis of total water flow; comprising: a life indicator indicating the service life of the cartridge, a normally open circuit including two spaced apart electrodes, a battery and a light emitting diode which emits light utilizing the battery as a power source, and a water passage operatively communicating with said device, the two electrodes being constructed and disposed in the water passage such that one electrode is deflected by pressure of the passing water in the water passage to contact with the other electrode to thereby make electrical contact therewith, means for removing water remaining between the two electrodes after completion of passing water, whereby an electric current flows to the light emitting diode when the two electrodes are electrically connected, and the battery is of a type having a discharge life equal to the service life of said device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
A cartridge as set forth in claim 6, in which the removal means comprises an air hole disposed in a wall of said passage upstream of the two electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
A cartridge as set forth in claim 6, in which the removing means comprises the downstream end of the water passage being open and obliquely cut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
A cartridge as set forth in claim 6, in which the battery has a voltage flatness and a property of abrupt drop in its voltage at a capacity end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said battery only powers said light emitting diode.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-10-16 1999-04-17 1999-10-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-10-16 2003-04-17 2003-10-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-10-16 2007-04-17 2007-10-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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